The Norwalk Parking Authority (NPA) oversees and manages more than 4,000 on and off-street parking spaces. The off-street parking spots are in nine facilities including two railroad stations, three garages and six open lots. The Authority started a yearlong planning study late in 2017, the first part of which is to assess the current parking situation in Norwalk.
During the latter half of 2017, the Parking Authority, working with Walker Parking Consultants, conducted research both on the current usage of parking facilities and also gathered stakeholder input to understand the community’s goals and needs. The NPA, through Walker Consultants, held individual face-to-face and telephone interviews and collected data from the downtown districts and the railroad stations through on-the-spot street interviews with commuters and the public. In addition, an online survey was made available for members of the public to provide feedback. Below is some of what was discovered during this phase.
Current Parking Use
In the Wall Street area, occupancy during the week is largest in the Wall Street lot at 73% full. In contrast, the Main Street lot and Yankee Doodle Garage are not as busy with only 47% and 54% occupancy rates, respectively. During the weekend, at midday on Saturday for example, all of these parking areas are equally busy, with an average occupancy rate of 68%.
In South Norwalk, the SoNo train station garage and lot are nearly full on weekdays, an average of 98% occupied. Similarly, the Webster lot also sees high occupancies during the week, about 91% full. The Haviland Garage and Water Street lot are fairly busy with 74% and 78% occupancy rates. The least busy is the Maritime Garage that is only about half full at 52%. In contrast, on the weekend, it is the Water Street lot and Haviland Garages that see more cars, being about 89% and 78% occupied.
Public Surveys
The NPA surveyed commuters in both the South Norwalk and East Norwalk train stations to get an idea of their parking profiles and concerns. In East Norwalk, the majority of commuters surveyed carpooled or took a taxi (53%). For the 23% who drove their own car, most (36%) parked in the temporary lot, followed by the train station southbound lot and the northbound lot.
East Norwalk Station Survey Results
At the South Norwalk railroad station, the majority of commuters (19%) drove their own vehicle to the train station, followed by either carpooling or taking an Uber or Lyft (both 17%). Of those driving, the majority (85%) parked in the train station garage or lot, only 15% parked on the street.
South Norwalk Station Survey Results
The NPA conducted a public survey at a Norwalk Open House late in 2017 that revealed some parking perceptions. For many who answered the survey, the most important parking issue in both the Wall Street/West Avenue area and in South Norwalk was finding an available space. Interesting to note, however, that respondents said that it takes only 1-5 minutes to find a parking spot in the Wall Street/West Avenue area. For SoNo, it took them 5 minutes or more.
The next steps before drafting the parking plan will be to review parking management and operational policies and governance and how they compare to industry best practices. The NPA will also take consider parking capacity solutions, including alternative mobility options and opportunities, such as a shuttle that circulates around town or bike sharing, and parking zoning changes looking at all of the planned citywide development buildout. In addition, a review and recommendation of technology is also in the works. The final goal is to have a plan that achieves consensus and provides a forward-looking blueprint for the future that is responsive to the unique needs of Norwalk. A draft plan for public review is expected later in 2018.
To review a presentation on the status of the Parking Plan,
Click Here.
Whole New Look and Upgrades
The Yankee Doodle Garage has recently undergone a series of indoor upgrades and added an illuminated installation to its façade, making it a centerpiece in the Wall Street District.
The Garage, located at 3 Burnell Boulevard in the Wall Street district of Norwalk, now has a new façade installation that illuminates the exterior wall, giving a sense of movement through logistically and creatively placed LED lighting. The illuminated lights serve a number of purposes. They refresh the Yankee Doodle Garage façade in a visually appealing way, while providing security and wayfinding functions.
In addition to the façade, the Yankee Doodle Garage was given a number of upgrades inside to improve security, customer service and aesthetics. New, state-of-the-art elevators, electric security door locks that are tied to the alarm system, as well as additional security cameras were installed. In addition, the elevator lobby doors were replaced providing more lighting and a safer and aesthetically more inviting environment. Throughout the garage, older fluorescent lighting was replaced with LED lighting that provides longer lasting and brighter light. To better serve the public, a customer service office was opened and a district-wide, roving security patrol was put in place Thursday through Saturday nights.
The Parking Authority took on these improvements with the input from the Wall Street District business community that wanted the Yankee Doodle Garage to have a safer and more welcoming environment, enhancing the growing business climate in the area.
The parking study and plan will be used to inform the citywide
Citywide Plan/POCD as well as planning for the Wall Street/West Avenue and Washington Street/South Main
Neighborhoods both of which are currently underway.
Your input is critical to help us understand the community’s parking needs. Some of the ways we’ll be getting community feedback may include a large public meeting and smaller sessions with specific interest groups such as neighborhood associations, downtown business associations, or others who grapple with parking issues on a day-to-day basis.
We’re also conducting an online survey so if you who cannot attend a public meeting you will have an opportunity to share your thoughts. Click below to take our survey.
If you have any questions about Norwalk parking planning efforts, contact Kathy Hebert at khebert@norwalkct.org or call 203-854-7736.
